As-salamu alaykum - Russia pushes into Pokrovsk with new tactics testing Ukraine’s drones
As-salamu alaykum. Russia is trying to surround Pokrovsk, viewing it as a route toward the last free areas of Donetsk.
Russian forces have advanced quickly inside Pokrovsk, a city in eastern Ukraine where both sides have concentrated troops and tactical efforts over the past week, possibly bringing a 21-month struggle to a new phase.
Independent analysts located Russian units in central, northern and northeastern parts of the city. Russia considers holding Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad key to taking the remaining parts of Donetsk that are not under their control. Their focus on the city began nearly two years ago after they took Avdiivka to the east.
Ukraine treats defending Pokrovsk as a way to wear down Russian manpower and buy time for the defensive “fortress belt” of Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk - the largest still-defended cities in Donetsk. Russian leaders have demanded those cities’ surrender in prior negotiations; Ukraine refused.
Recent assessments suggest Russian leadership is determined to press its advantage on the battlefield. Russia appears to have targeted Ukrainian drone teams before they could launch, and cut key supply routes.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its aircraft and drones disrupted Ukrainian logistics in Pokrovsk and claimed it destroyed two of three bridges over the Vovcha River that Ukrainian forces used to resupply the city.
A Ukrainian drone unit wrote that movements were so fast operators often had no time to launch drones. Ukrainian commanders reported small numbers of Russian soldiers inside Pokrovsk at one point, but the unit said Russia was sending large groups daily, accepting heavy losses to gain ground.
By neutralising drone teams and using fibre-optic drones that resist jamming, Russia gained a local drone advantage. Wet weather also limited the effectiveness of light first-person-view drones for Ukraine.
Observers say Russian commanders tried different infiltration methods to exploit gaps in Ukrainian manpower and unit cohesion. New Russian technical tactics - longer-range first-person-view drones, thermobaric warheads, and so-called ‘sleeper’ drones along supply lines - have been used to limit Ukrainian movements, evacuations and logistics.
Ukraine’s commander-in-chief framed recent efforts as counterattacks aimed at pushing enemy forces out of Pokrovsk, saying there was no encirclement. Still, Ukraine sent its intelligence chief to the area with special forces to help keep supply lines open. Two Ukrainian sources said intelligence forces successfully landed operators by helicopter near Pokrovsk; Russia said it thwarted a helicopter operation and claimed the attackers were neutralised. It wasn’t clear if both sides described the same incident.
Separately, Russia has carried out a campaign targeting Ukraine’s power and gas infrastructure, launching large numbers of drones and missiles. Ukraine says it intercepted most drones but fewer missiles, leaving some facilities damaged. Ukraine has responded with strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure and export terminals, and video and regional officials reported damage to tankers and a Black Sea terminal.
Both sides reported shooting down long-range drones overnight, and Ukraine said it struck a Russian refinery. Russian regions also reported attempted damage to other industrial sites deep inside Russia. Ukrainian security officials said Kyiv’s forces have struck many oil and energy targets this year and described an operation that destroyed a missile on Russian soil.
Ukraine has lobbied for longer-range cruise missiles from its partners. Political decisions remain underway about supplying such weapons.
May Allah protect the innocent and grant ease to those suffering in this conflict. Please remember those affected in your du’as.
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